 "af05f196-a9fc-41de-8b19-533c7084269b.jpg")
Portuguese regulators have rejected a plan that would have seen Benfica FM, the radio station owned by Benfica, broadcast on FM frequencies. The Entidade Reguladora para a Comunicação Social (ERC) denied the project, which involved taking over the Batida FM network.
The ERC concluded the request didn’t meet the necessary legal requirements, citing concerns over media pluralism, editorial independence, and the public interest. The decision effectively limits Benfica FM to online broadcasting.
According to the ERC, the change in format wouldn’t enhance local radio offerings, simply replacing one type of programming with another. The regulator also argued that a sports-focused station could narrow its audience and wouldn’t necessarily add to media diversity.
The ERC also identified potential risks to editorial autonomy and interference from Benfica’s significant involvement in content creation, which is incompatible with regulations for radio operators and the principle of independence.
The ERC believes the project is too closely tied to a “specific sporting universe,” potentially segmenting the audience based on particular interests rather than serving the general public.
The ERC maintains that the local information component of the project is insufficient to mitigate the risks of a lack of independence and diversity, emphasizing that the radio spectrum is a scarce public resource and should be used to ensure pluralism and the public interest.
Benfica officials have indicated they may request parliamentary intervention in the matter, after their objection to the ERC’s draft decision was not considered.
